MICHAEL A. LUTZ
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) - Anthony Perry scored 16 points and No. 21 Georgetown overcame poor shooting at the start of each half to beat Houston 79-63 on Sunday.

Houston's Dominick Smith (1) keeps the ball away from Georgetown's Gerald Riley in a full court press situation during the first half, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000 in Houston. (AP Photo/Tim Johnson)

The Hoyas, 11-0 and off to their best start in 11 seasons, fell behind 8-2 before taking a 49-30 haltfime lead. They hit only 3-for-12 to start the second half but had plenty of firepower to pull away from the Cougars.

Georgetown hit 37 percent of its field goals for the game from the field and 21 percent in the second half.

The Hoyas extended their record to 5-0 against the Cougars. Georgetown beat the Cougars 84-75 in the 1984 NCAA championship game. The Cougars (3-9) lost for the seventh time in eight games.

There were 50 fouls called in the game but only one player fouled out. Houston freshman Alton Ford left the game with 7:21.

Georgetown stumbled at the start, but only briefly. Houston got two quick baskets on an alley-oop dunk by Bernard Smith and a slam by George Williams and the Cougars got an early 8-2 lead.

The Hoyas then reeled off 14 straight points for a 16-8 lead and outmanned the Cougars the rest of the half for a 49-30 halftime lead. Anthony Perry got the Hoyas started with a pair of 3-pointers early in the run.

After getting their 8-2 lead, the Cougars scored only three more field goals the rest of the half. Despite Georgetown's slow start in the second half, the Cougars couldn't close the gap.

Williams led the Cougars with 17 points and Patrick Okafor added 11.